RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN TAEPO-DONG 2 LAUNCH

S E C R E T STATE 033031 E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2019 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KN SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN TAEPO-DONG 2 LAUNCH Classified By: EAP A/S Christopher R. Hill for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request for all posts. At the discretion of Ambassadors, all posts are requested to deliver the points in para 2 below giving USG reaction to North Korea's launch of a long-range missile referred to by the United States as the Taepo-Dong 2. All posts are also requested to provide host governments the statement by the White House (para 3),and should use as needed the Qs and As in para 5. Beijing, Moscow, Seoul, and Tokyo are requested to deliver additional points in para 4. ¶2. (U) Begin points for all posts. -- On April 5, 2009 at approximately 11:30 am Korea time (April 4 at 10:30 pm EST),North Korea launched a Taepo Dong-2 (TD-2) missile which passed over the Sea of Japan and the nation of Japan. We assess the missile's first stage landed in the Sea of Japan, the remaining stages, along with the payload, landed in the Pacific Ocean and no debris fell on Japan. We further assess that no object entered orbit. We continue to study the situation. -- We have long expressed our concerns regarding North Korea's ballistic missile programs. -- North Korea's development, deployment, and proliferation of ballistic missiles, missile-related materials, equipment, and technologies pose a serious threat to the region and to the international community. -- This launch is a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1718, even though the DPRK has characterized this as a satellite launch. -- The United States believes that any launch by the DPRK that uses ballistic missile technology violates UNSCR 1718, even if the DPRK seeks to characterize it as a satellite launch. -- UNSCR 1718 requires that North Korea suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program, and that it abandon its ballistic missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. -- The equipment and technology necessary to launch a satellite into orbit are virtually identical to and interchangeable with the equipment and technology necessary to launch a ballistic missile weapons payload. A launch vehicle capable of putting a satellite in orbit, such as the TD-2 missile, is inherently capable of delivering WMD. -- Thus, this launch clearly falls within the UNSC decision that the DPRK must suspend "all activities related to its ballistic missile program." In this regard, it is also worth noting that the launch of a TD-2 missile was one of the actions by the DPRK that prompted the UNSC resolution. -- North Korea's action will only further isolate it from the international community and work against the interests of the North Korean people. -- We call on the DPRK to refrain from further provocative actions, and to cease immediately the development and proliferation of ballistic missiles, as required by UNSCR ¶1718. The DPRK should also reestablish its moratorium on missile launchingas required by UNSCR 1718. -- We also call on North Korea to continue to uphold its commitments under the Six-Party Talks and to work with the other parties to implement the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement. ¶3. (U) BEGIN STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT: Statement by the President Prague, Czech Republic April 5, 2009 North Korea's development and proliferation of ballistic missile technology pose a threat to the northeast Asian region and to international peace and security. The launch today of a Taepo-dong 2 missile was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind. With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations. We will immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the U.N. Security Council to bring this matter before the Council. I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions. Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is a high priority for my administration. The United States is fully committed to maintaining security and stability in northeast Asia and we will continue working for the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party Talks. The Six-Party Talks provide the forum for achieving denuclearization, reducing tensions, and for resolving other issues of concern between North Korea, its four neighbors, and the United States. North Korea has a pathway to acceptance in the international community, but it will not find that acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and abides by its international obligations and commitments. END STATEMENT ¶4. (S/REL JPN ROK RUS CHINA) Points for BEIJING, MOSCOW, SEOUL, and TOKYO ONLY: -- This launch is also inconsistent with the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement. All Six Parties committed in that statement to joint efforts for lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia. -- As we move forward, we need to maintain a united approach among our partners in the Six-Party process, and we want to continue close consultations. -- The United States believes that is essential that you, along with our other Six-Party partners, take strong action in the UN Security Council to augment efforts to implement UNSCR 1718. I understand our PermReps in New York have already begun consultations in this regard. -- I hope you will be prepared to publicly state the following: - that this launch violated UNSCR 1718; - that it was a provocative and unhelpful act; - that North Korea should refrain from threats or actions that exacerbate tensions in the region; - that North Korea should abide by the U.N. resolutions and suspend all activities related to its ballistic- missile program; - that North Korea should fulfill its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement. -- At the same time, the United States wants to sustain the important progress we have made so far in the Six- Party Talks. -- The United States seeks to move quickly to complete Phase II disablement and energy assistance in order to build momentum in the Six-Party process and progress into Phase III, during which the DPRK is to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs. The United States is committed to achieving a strong verification agreement that meets international standards. We will continue to work hand-in-glove with our allies and Six-Party partners as we move forward. ¶5. (U) If asked points, for all posts: If asked about North Korea's motives: -- We will not speculate about North Korea's motives. If asked about acceptability of a satellite/space launch vehicle: -- Given the history of this issue, including North Korea's past missile tests and its 2006 nuclear test, and the clear statement of the United Nations Security Council in two resolutions (1695 and 1718) that the DPRK's missile-related activities must cease, the United States believes that any launch of a TD-2, or similar vehicle using ballistic missile technology, conducted by the DPRK violates UNSCR 1718, even if the DPRK seeks to characterize them as space launch vehicles. If asked, regarding North Korean missile exports: -- We are greatly concerned about the North's continued export of ballistic missiles and related equipment, materials, and technologies to countries of concern. Such exports violate UNSCR 1718. -- North Korea has marketed its missile technology and equipment worldwide. -- The United States has imposed sanctions on North Korean entities multiple times for missile-related transfers. If asked about the future of the Six-Party Talks: -- The United States calls on the DPRK to fulfill its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs and returning, at an early date, to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to IAEA safeguards. If asked about UN actions: -- The United States considers this launch a violation of UNSCR 1718. As such, the United States calls for strong action by the Security Council to condemn this act and restrict the DPRK's ability to acquire or proliferate missile-related technology. If asked about U.S. bilateral and/or unilateral actions/sanctions: -- The United States will also consider taking appropriate measures as necessary to impede DPRK proliferation-related activities wherever possible. END POINTS ¶6. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON